Rotary machine



Oct. 14, 1941. J. D. SPALDING ROTARY MACHINE Original Filed March 1, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l 3 x 113* r a: Q Q/ Q w mm w E \Q m Oct. 14, 1941. J. D. SPALDING 2,259,431

ROTARY MACHINE Original Filed March 1, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY MACHINE John D. S palding, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to The National Supply Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application March 1, 1937, Serial No.

128,468. Divided and this 9, 1938, Serial No. 194,865

application March 7 Claims. 01. 255-23) This invention relates to rotary machines of the type used in the drilling of wells, and is more particularly related to a rotary machine of the enclosed type constructed to meet the present demands of deep drilling operations.

An object of this invention is to provide a rotary machine wherein means are provided for maintaining proper alignment of the drill stem or kelly joint with relation to the table of the rotarymachine so as to decrease the whipping and excessive vibration apt to develop in rotary machines of the present day design.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary machine wherein means are provided in operative combination with a rotary machine for rotatably guiding the kelly joint to decrease whipping and eliminate vibration to prolong the life of the rotary machine gears and bearings and drive bushing so that easier feeding of the drill stem is promoted. I

Other objects and advantages of this invention it is believed will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a sectional elevation of the rotary machineembodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof on a reduced scale.

Figure 3 is a fragmental sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 isa side elevation partly in vertical section illustrating "a modified form of drive bushing and steadyrest.

This application is a division of the co-pending application of John S. Morgan, Jr. and John D. Spalding Serial No. 128,468, filed March 1, 1937, for Rotary machine.

In the rotary machine illustrated in Figures- 1 to 3, inclusive, the base I has a central bore through which the annular skirt 2 of the rotary table 3 extends. An anti-friction bearing 4 supports the table 3 upon the base I. A ring gear 5 .is carried by the table 3 which operates within the annular enclosure 6 formed by the upstanding rim I of the base I and an inner annular rim 8 likewise formed on the base I.

The top of the chamber 6 is closed by the table which forms a labyrinth seal 9 with the rim 1 and a labyrinth seal I0 with therim 8 so as to exclude foreign matter from, and retain lubricant, withinthe annular chamber, The labyrinth seals 9 and III may be of any suitable or de- Patent N 0. 2,008,774 to John D. Spalding.

An upthrust ring I I is removably secured to the lower end of the annular skirt 2 and supports the anti-friction upthrust bearing I2 which is thus maintained in the annular chamber I3 formed between the ring II and the annular skirt 2. Bearings 4 and I2 cooperate to maintain the rotary table in alignment upon the base I to hold the table to strictly concentric rotation with relation to the base I. On the upthrust ring II is formed an outer annular wall I4 which surrounds the bearing I2. Spaced inwardly from the wall I4 and supported thereon is a skirt I5 adapted to form a lubricant seal with the cylindrical portion I6 of the base I.

In the rotary machine embodying my invention in order to maintain the operating parts of the machine in proper alignment, particularly where the machine is utilized under deep drilling conditions, I have provided a centering bearing for the kelly 66. As is well known to those skilled in the art of rotary drilling, the upper end of the kelly is supported by a tackle block (not shown) and the lower end is fastened to the drill pipe (not shown).

In ordinary rotary machines, the only radial bearings or centering means for the kelly is the same means that is used to rotate it, i. e., the drive bushings 61. This practice has resulted in excessive wear of the drive bushing 61 and of the bearings 4 and I2 which support and maintain alignment of the drive bushing 67. As wear occurs, the wear becomes more acute due to the whipping action of the kelly 66.

' In accordance with my invention, and in order to insure that the rotary machine thereof will operate smoothly without whipping action, I

have provided a centering bearing assembly including the centering bearing 65 which serves to hold the kelly 66 in proper vertical alignment so that the drive bushings 61 are required to perform only one function, i. e., of rotating the kelly 66.

In accordance with my invention, a sleeve 68, provided with a bore of the same configuration as the cross-section of the kelly 66, is mounted in a suitable housing 69 which is supported on a frusto-conical structure I0. The structure III is reinforced by radial extending ribs II. A closure flange I2 is secured to the housing 69 and carries a packing ring I3, which, in cooperation with the mud thrower flange I4 secured to the sleeve 68, prevents the admission oi mud or other foreign matter to the centering bearing65. A

part of the housing 8. The two packing rings, 13 and I5, likewise serve to prevent escape of lubricant supplied the bearing .65 through a fitting 16. Drive cushions, ll, composed of rubber or like resilient material, may be inserted in the sleeve 88. The bearing housing 69, supporting .structure Ill, and ribs II, are preferably integral construction forthe purpose of rigidity.

A ring I8 is secured to the base I oi'the rotary machine and supports the entire kelly centering assembly. 'Any preferred form of quick connection may be provided between the structure I0 and the supporting ring 18 in order that the assembly may be readily installed and withdrawn from position.

In the construction as illustrated, pivot bolts 18 and wing nuts Bil cooperate to removably secure said parts together. This demountable feature is necessary in order that the centering assembly may be maintained upon the kelly 66 when the latter is withdrawn from the rotary machine.

Withdrawal of the kelly upwardly through the rotary machine is a necessary operation preliminary to adding or removing a joint of the drill pipe. when this operation is accomplished, it is desirable to have the drive bushings 61,

as well as the centering asembly, remain upon the kelly. With this purpose in view, a projection, or series of projections, 8|, are secured to the lower end of the kelly 66 in any convenient manner. Upon withdrawal of the kelly 66, one of the projections 8| is adapted to release a latch mechanism 82 contained within the drive bushing 61. The projections 8| then support the entire weight of thecentering assembly and the drive bushing 61, which parts may then be removed with the kelly from the rotary machine.

In the modified form of my invention illustrated in Figure 4, there is illustrated a modification oi the centering bearing assembly for the kelly in which the bearing sleeve and the drive bushings are formed integrally as a member 68 which is suspended from the self-aligning bearings 65. The lower end of the member. 88-

' extends into a polygonal opening provided in the table 3 and fits into driving engagement therewith. In this construction the aligning means for the kelly 66 is supported entirely by the base I and the sole function of the table 3 is to rotate the member 68! and hence the kelly 66'. Release of the wing nuts 80' permits the withdrawal o! the kelly I! with the centering bearing assembly carried thereon. I

A divisional application bearing Serial No.

410,953 has been filed under date of September Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my inventior is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A rotary machine for rotating a drill stem,

having a base, a table rotatably mounted on the base, in combination with a drill stem drive bushing, through which said stem is free to reciprocate while drilling, said bushingbeing adapted to impart rotation to the drill stem upon rotation of the table, and means mounted on the base and including bearing means for rotatably supporting said drive bushing independently of the table.

A rotary machine for rotating a drill stem, having a base, a table rotatably mounted on the base, in combination with a drill stem drive bushing through which said stem is free to reciprocate while drilling, said bushing being adapted to impart rotation to the drill stem upon rotation of the table, and means to support said drive bushing independently of the table.

3. Apparatus for rotating a drill stem, including a rotary machine having a base and a table .rotatably mounted on the base, in combination 4. Apparatus for rotating a drill stem, including a rotary machine having a base and a table rotatably mounted on the base, in combination with a drill stem drive bushing through which said stem is free to reciprocate while drilling, said bushing being adapted to impart rotation to the drill stem upon rotation of the table, and guide means independent of the table adapted to maintain the drive bushing in a central position relative to the table.

5. A rotary machine for rotating a drill stem, having a stationary base and a table rotatably mounted on the base, in combination with a drill stem drive bushing through which said stem is free to reciprocate while drilling, said drive bushing being adapted to impartrotatlon to the drill stem upon rotation of the table, an annular ring carried by the base and overlapping a portion of the table adjacent its outer periphery, and guide means including a bearing supported by said annular ring and adapted to maintain the drive bushing centrally oithe rotary axis of the table.

6. A rotary machine for rotating a drill stem, having a stationary base and a table rotatably mounted on the base, in combination with a drill stem drive bushing through which said stem is iree to reciprocate while drilling, said drive bushing being adapted to impart rotation to the drill stem upon rotation of the table. an annular ring 1 carried by the base and overlapping a portion oi the table adjacent its outer periphery, and means including a bearing whereby the drive bushing is rotatably mounted upon said annular ring in coaxial alignment with the table axis.

7. Apparatus for rotating a drill stem, including a rotary machine having a base and 'a table rotatably mounted on the base, in combination with a drill stem drive bushing through which said'stem is free to reciprocate while drilling, said bushing being adapted to impart rotation to the drill stem upon rotation of the table, and means independent of the table adapted to support said bushing and maintain it against upward movement.

JOHN D. SPALDING. 

